Published 9:44 pm, Friday, September 14, 2012

Under a new system, which took effect Sept 1., Assistant Chiefs Brian Kilcullen and Patrick Leguire, whose jobs are more operational, and Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett will keep their unmarked police vehicles though they can no longer drive them to their residences.

The changes do not affect the four canine officers and four evidence technicians or crime scene investigators because their cars are covered by the police union contract.

Seber said Thursday that the three newer police cruisers formerly used by the command staff will now "trickle down to other units," most likely the detective and youth aid division. If he, Chaires or Falvo needs a police vehicle for the job, Seber said they must get it from the older, high-mile unmarked cars that are available in case one of the regular vehicles is in the shop for repairs.

In a move to reduce gasoline and maintenance costs, Mayor Gary McCarthy issued an executive order in June on "city owned vehicle usage," stating generally that employees must get approval from a department head or him to take cars home and that all other vehicles are not to leave city limits unless a approved by a supervisor. He did not return a call Thursday seeking comment, and the city has so far not released any data on potential savings.

The edict was supported by members of the City Council, many of whom had complained that police vehicles were being driven home by command staff, all of whom live outside of the Electric City, at the expense of city taxpayers in a cash-strapped municipality.

"The story has nothing to do with the Albany Police Department," Smith said.

In Troy, Police Chief John Tedesco, Deputy Chief Richard McAvoy, Assistant Chief George VanBramer and Detective Bureau Capt. Robert Paul all have take-home cars that are for official use only, according to city police spokesman Capt. John Cooney. He said as part of their job descriptions, all four lawmen are required to — and frequently do — respond to major crime scenes.